The landscape of Bangladeshi cricket expanded on Monday as the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium (also known as the Shahid Kamaruzzaman Stadium) officially inaugurated its status as the nation’s 13th international cricket venue. The milestone was marked by the commencement of the first One Day International (ODI) in a three-match series between the Bangladesh and Sri Lanka women’s national teams.
Match Overview and Toss
Upon the historic commencement of play, Sri Lanka’s captain, Chamari Athapaththu, won the toss and elected to bat first. The decision aimed to capitalise on the fresh conditions of the newly sanctioned pitch. As of the latest match reports, the Sri Lankan side has demonstrated a steady performance, reaching a total of 149 runs for the loss of 3 wickets after 33 overs.
The transition of the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium to international status follows years of hosting domestic competitions, age-group internationals, and fixtures involving “Emerging” squads. However, this fixture represents the first instance where two senior national teams have competed at the ground in an official international capacity.
Series Schedule and Venue Details
The ongoing tour is structured into two distinct segments: an ODI series followed by a T20 International (T20I) series. To mark the inauguration of the Rajshahi venue, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) scheduled all three matches of the ODI leg to be held at this location.
| Match | Format | Date | Venue |
| 1st ODI | 50-Overs | 20 April | Rajshahi Divisional Stadium |
| 2nd ODI | 50-Overs | 20 April | Rajshahi Divisional Stadium |
| 3rd ODI | 50-Overs | 25 April | Rajshahi Divisional Stadium |
| 1st T20I | 20-Overs | To be announced | Sylhet International Stadium |
| 2nd T20I | 20-Overs | To be announced | Sylhet International Stadium |
| 3rd T20I | 20-Overs | To be announced | Sylhet International Stadium |
Context and Significance
The elevation of the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium is a significant step in the decentralisation of cricket within Bangladesh. By meeting the stringent criteria set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding outfield quality, drainage, and media facilities, the venue joins an elite list of Bangladeshi grounds, including the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka and the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.
Following the conclusion of the three-match ODI series on 25 April, both squads are scheduled to travel to Sylhet. There, they will compete in a three-match T20I series to conclude the tour. These matches are of particular importance for the ICC Women’s Championship rankings, which determine direct qualification paths for future global tournaments.
The successful hosting of this inaugural match is expected to pave the way for future men’s and women’s international fixtures in the northern region of the country, providing local fans with direct access to top-tier cricketing talent.